Long-term neurological and gastrointestinal sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and other neurotropic infections with and without vaccination

Abstract

ABSTRACTCOVID-19 increases the risk of neurological and gastrointestinal sequelae, but it is unclear if it does so more than other infections. Using a multicenter record network, we matched 649,478 COVID-19 patients to negative controls (NCs) and patients infected with influenza, human herpesvirusses, and lyme’s disease (LD) to compare new-onset gastrointestinal (GISx), autonomic (ANSx), sensory (SNSx), and motor (MNSx) symptoms 3-12 months after infection. ANSx showed significant increases compared to NCs (odds ratio (OR) 1.34; confidence interval (CI) 1.31-1.36) and most other investigated infections (LD, influenza, infectious mononucleosis, and herpes zoster; OR 1.40, 1.13, 1.11, and 1.05, respectively). SNSx (OR 1.35; CI 1.31-1.39), MNSx (OR 1.32; CI 1.28-1.36) and GISx (OR 1.36; CI 1.33-1.38) were increased but varied more compared with other infections. COVID-19 vaccination reduced the risk of GISx, ANSx, and SNSx. Sequelae frequently ascribed to COVID-19 may manifest with similar or higher frequency after other infections, except ANSx.